Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-11-30
SOUTHERN OYSTERS.
An Afternoon with Oystermen on
the New Orleans Levee.

INC new orleans LeVee.
There is, perhaps, in the world of traffic
and commerce in New Orleans, says the
Times Democrat, more leisure and attractions
than in any other city of it's size, importan ce
and modern innovations. This, perhaps, is
owing to the fact that the permanent pop
ulation Of the city is that of the most cos.
mopolitan character. From the bleak
coast of the north countries to the sunny
shores Of the southern latitudes portions Of
the vast army of emigrants seeking free
dom and homes in the United States locate
and go into business in New Orleans. Here
they meet and commingle in every walk of
life, introducing their antique customs that
only partly merge into those of the coun-
try, thus forming in various ways Pc
culiar state of affairs that is both unique
and charming.
Besides this distinctive line of social man
ners, softened and made gentle by Southern
influence, this strange intercourse Of the
different races has also established here
variety of business interests, several of
which are conducted almost exclusively by
certain nationalities.
The oyster trade is an illustration of this
kind of commercial exclusiveness. 1t is
almost entirely in the hands of the Aus
TRANS and Italians, although few French
and Creoles are engaged in it.
Dealing in oysters is no sinecure, for it
requires strong, healthy, Woodworking
men, Injured to a rough sailor life.
The principal rendezvous of the oyster
fleet is at the wharf at the foot St. Philip,
Hospital and Ursulines streets. There are
engaged in this floating trade between two
hundred and three hundred luggers, that
present picturesque sight as they lay
bobbing nose on at the landing. They
stretch out here in long line, sometimes
several rows deep. They are one-masted
craft, ranging from two to eight tons, and
so built as to be capable of withstanding
most any sort of weather. Though carry
ing but one sail the spread of canvas is con-
siderable, while the boat itself is large
enough to hold two hundred or three hun
I dred tubs Of oysters and affords room for
the captain and his crew of two or three
men.
The principal oyster-ields are at Bayou
Cook, Grand Isle, the Salt Beds, the Tim
balier Islands, and the reefs lying between.
A number of the lugger captains have their
own fisherman, who supply them with the
Seven or eight or even more fishermen are
thus engaged supplying the delicious shell
fish to one captain, although when they are
short he can obtain his load wherever he
can get it.
own hook, though some are in partnership
with the iuggermen. The irst-class sell to
the captain at so much tub tub being
-four barrel sawed in two and heaped up in
the measure. For Bayou Cook oysters the
price at the fishing grounds is 81 so per bar
rel, and no less. There is no beating down
it is either 'pay or no take" On his ar
rival here the captain sells his cargo at the
rate Of from $.75 to $3.50 per barrel, &C
cording to the demand. On rare occasions
an overstocked market causes loss, the
price dropping down to $1.25 per barrel.
Besides his profit in the difference between
the buying and selling price, the lugger-
man also has margin in tho measure, CIV
ing less in the same marketable quantity
than he receives. This covers his expenses
of canal tolls, towage and other incidental
OUTLAWS.
The second class Of fishermen, who are in
partnership with the luggermen, gather
their oysters and await the returns in their
regular course of business. The captain
brings his cargo to the city, disposes of it,
paws tho expenses of the trip, and the bal
ance is divided, one share for the captain,
one share for the boat, which goes also to the
CAPTAIN, and one share each to the others.
Tho dividends are usually declared weekly.
The utmost fairness and honesty exists
among these men, and no case Of embezzle-
! rncnt Of funds or cheating is on public rec
, ord. If such p thing ever happened it has
been kept secret, ami is not in the recollec-
ton of the oldest trader. VIZ ~'5E'} 80 ~'
The fishermen all live in little cabins put
I'M wherever there is q dry spot in the
vicinity of their grounds. They seldom if
ever leave their place OF work, whether
their beds are private ones or are on public
bottoms, and are provisioned from the city
! by the captains, who purchase their stores
md take them down to them on their return
trip. Outside Of fresh bread they get what
tho market affords, especially in the way of
wine, for they are all great wine drinkers
!, but drunkenness is said to be unknown
among them. H.. @.ss H. ,....s -l... ,
When the oysters are raked up and gath
| cred in the natural state by means Of tongs,
], they are in clusters, but they are separated
| and tculled' with small hatchets used for
!: that purpose, and then the oysters are
! s:bedded." They are allowed to remain in
| this state for ,wo or three months, when
they arc considered sufficiently cultivated
! for the market. This is the system adopted
/ with the best class Of oysters. The in.
ferior grades are fished up, put aboard 9
i lugger, and brought up to town without
selection. 3 fssf2 iisE t4 5ifss*E A.. 5
When the season opens, which is about the
middle Of August, continuing until the last
| Of April the fishermen begin to gather the
oysters and prepare to deliver them to the
/ lugEers. When tho boats arrive at the
oyster grounds they cast anchor Of some
!. distance from the beds which are located
/ Ia shallow water, and when ready to take
| on cargo hoist a flag to indicate that fact tc
the fishermen, who then all up their skifes
4 pull to the lugger and load her up. Al
\ though these oysters come from the same
/. vicinity, from beds lying very nearly IL
contact, there is often quite difference y
their quality, The poorer ones are put u